NEWPORT County AFC drew for the third game on the spin in League Two after a frustrating evening against strugglers Carlisle.

The Exiles made a horrendous start to trail inside a minute after a well-crafted goal by Joe Riley at a sodden Rodney Parade.

The hosts had turned it around after half an hour thanks to a quickfire double by Dom Telford but paid the price for missing chances.

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Carlisle were awarded a penalty after 65 minutes when Ed Upson handled on the line; not only was the midfielder dismissed but Zach Clough scored from the spot.

County finished with nine men when Ryan Haynes was shown a second yellow with five minutes to go but held on for a point, with Joe Day pulling off some fine saves.

Here are the talking points from Newport…

South Wales Argus: OFF: Ed Upson is red-carded for handballOFF: Ed Upson is red-carded for handball

TURNING POINT

County were in control at the end of the first half but it felt like an opportunity missed to get a third that would have killed the spirit of the struggling visitors.

Carlisle are in poor form but aren’t anywhere near as bad as Scunthorpe and I would be amazed if they don’t finish with a comfortable gap from relegation come May (apologies for that prediction, Cumbrians).

However, it was always dangerous while a one-goal game and so it proved with a mad passage of play in which Jordan Gibson hit both posts with a driven shot that just eluded Joe Day’s left boot.

It rebounded to Jack Armer, whose shot was blocked and partially cleared by James Clarke before Brad Young’s goalbound effort hit Upson and went behind.

A penalty was eventually given and Hatswell accused referee David Rock of guessing but the official would no doubt argue he was just taking his time and consulting with his team.

It certainly looked odd and while the highlights package doesn’t provide any conclusive evidence, the sheepish reaction of Upson, who didn’t go the full Steven Taylor, says a lot.

The midfielder accepted his red card and trudged off rather than going mad.

It was an awful moment and County could have done with Gibson, Armer or Young scoring because you would have backed them to respond to the setback with 11.

IN GOOD SHAPE

The point at Exeter was a good one but this was a deflating one and County really should have beaten both Bradford and Carlisle in Newport.

Nonetheless, they are unbeaten in four league games under Hatswell and importantly they are playing pretty well.

County are not flying like they were this time last year but they are starting to be more consistent than the start of the campaign, when a new-look side had a tough schedule and were hindered by injuries.

New boss James Rowberry has a deep and strong squad to work with and the League Two table provides plenty of encouragement, even if recent draws lead to a feeling of opportunities missed.

County are 13th and just three points off the play-offs and a further three back on second.

South Wales Argus: CELEBRATION: Dom Telford hit a doubleCELEBRATION: Dom Telford hit a double

DANGEROUS DOM

Telford is a little man making a big impact, finally looking like the striker that Michael Flynn wanted when signing him in January.

The 24-year-old’s game was hindered by the Rodney Parade pitch more than most in the second half of last season but he is now a vital man for County.

Telford, who brought in from the cold by Flynn, has scored four goals (plus one in the EFL Trophy) and he has mixed crackers with neat finishes.

Both strikes were brilliant yesterday, the first a superb shot on the turn and the second a rapid solo run and finish. The footage of his second doesn't do it justice, live it was sensational.

The combination with Courtney Baker-Richardson is a very promising one and they are mixing graft with the flashy stuff.

Telford has the ability to hit double figures – Matty Dolan was top scorer last season with seven, five of them penalties – and this is a feel-good story of resilience after his tough start to life in Newport.

South Wales Argus: BANNED: Ryan Haynes will miss the trip to Bristol RoversBANNED: Ryan Haynes will miss the trip to Bristol Rovers

CH-CH-CH-CH-CHANGES

County named the same side for the fourth league game on the spin but must tinker at Bristol Rovers.

Aaron Lewis will surely slot in for Haynes while Rowberry, with the assistance of Hatswell, has a bigger decision for Upson’s replacement.

Aneurin Livermore or Chris Missilou are the like-for-like options but they could opt for a flat four protected by Dolan.

The Exiles were sluggish in the second half against Carlisle, perhaps due to their exertions in a fast-paced game in Exeter, but don’t have a game on Tuesday.

The enforced changes could well be enough rather than freshening up with Finn Azaz, Alex Fisher or Timmy Abraham.